There are 7 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2009 Nissan Maximain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
CVT transmission whinnying with loss of power when accelerating
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the engine was running hot and there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust tips. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was restarted however the vehicle shut off. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.
MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM CROWN MASON IN TAMPA ANDBTHE CAR STARTED SMOKING IN ONE DAY, WE FOUND OUT THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD. THE OWNER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. SINCE THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT WE HAD TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN ALONG WITH A TUNE UP AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT
WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP AND WHEN IDLING THE RPM GO UP AND DOWN AND ALSO IT IDLES VERY IRRATICALLY.
ENGINE OIL PAN RUST THROUGH AND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PART STORE, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT, DTC, ABS SENSOR, AND ENGINE SPEED SHIFT CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
I PULLED OUT OF MY COMPLEX I HAD ONLY DRIVEN 1/4 OF A MILE AT A RATE OF 40 MPH AND MY VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND VERY HARD TO BRAKE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE GOING AGAIN SO I DROVE RIGHT BACK HOME. I REFERENCED MY OWNERS MANUAL AND IT STATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS FLASHING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SERVICE FACILITY. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE NEXT DAY. THE SERVICE DEPT NOTIFIED ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEY STATED THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT MY FAULT AND WHEN THEY TOOK THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE OFF MY MOTOR IS VERY CLEAN AND THEY CAN TELL THAT I TOOK GREAT CAR OF MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS JUST 3,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. APPROX 48 HRS LATER NISSAN CALLED TO ADVISE ME THEY CAN'T HELP ME WITH THE COST OF MY REPAIRS OVER $9,000. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDLESS TO SAY VERY UNFAIR FOR THE CONSUMER. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026